322: Chapter 322: Problems with Chip Mass Production!

Zhao Yang didn't plan on using the inspiration burst card right now.

He stood up and stretched his shoulders. His joints popped slightly behind his shoulder blades, making him feel incredibly comfortable.

Given his already high base stats, even a mere two-point increase in physique felt wonderful to Zhao Yang!

Arriving in the basement, Shin-chan's main screen was running the twelfth-week data for the mice's exercise endurance. Zhao Yang glanced at the graphs.

"How's the progress lately?"

"The exercise endurance duration of the experimental group has stabilized at 1.7 times that of the control group. The decrease in serum reactive oxygen species levels remains statistically significant. There are no abnormal shifts in animal body weight, organ indices, or blood biochemical indicators."

Shin-chan's voice came from the console speakers, steady and devoid of emotion.

"The analysis of vector stability and off-target rates for the gene-editing module is still running. It is expected to take another two to three weeks to complete all verifications."

Zhao Yang nodded. He pulled out a chair, sat down, and checked his system panel. Currently, the only subjects that hadn't reached LV5 were Biology and Linguistics. Biology was only twenty thousand experience points away from LV5, which was roughly the equivalent of one significant research paper.

He thought about it and decided not to continue writing papers at Professor Gu Ming's lab. The saline-alkali tolerant rice project had already concluded, and the subsequent indica rice verification was being handled by the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. It was unlikely to produce any heavyweight new papers in the short term.

He planned to write one using data from his own private lab. Even without touching sensitive data like his own body metrics or blood genes, the results from the animal experiments he had already completed were enough to put together a high-quality paper.

In Zhao Yang's estimation, the value of this paper wouldn't be low, but he wasn't entirely sure if it would be enough to fill the twenty-thousand-plus experience gap in one go. Regardless, he would compile the paper first.

He opened a document editor and began outlining the paper. The working title was "Mechanistic Study on the Enhanced Antioxidant Capacity of SOD2 Mutants Based on Directed Evolution in Mammalian Models."

The abstract took him about half an hour. He wrote the main body, covering experimental design, vector construction, animal model establishment, exercise endurance testing, and serum biochemical analysis. All data charts were pulled directly from Shin-chan's experimental logs.

The core conclusion of the paper was clear: specific site mutations in the SOD2 gene could significantly enhance antioxidant capacity in mammals without any observed negative physiological effects. As for how the mutant was obtained, the paper only vaguely stated it was "obtained through Directed Evolution screening," without mentioning the specific source.

Halfway through writing the paper, his phone rang. Zhao Yang checked the caller ID; it was Liang Mengsong.

"Dr. Liang."

Zhao Yang put down his keyboard and answered the phone.

"Boss."

Liang Mengsong's voice sounded a bit tired, but more than that, it carried a sense of suppressed frustration.

"There's a problem with the chip mass production. Several key parameters on the Lithography machine are failing calibration. Our engineers have tried several rounds of adjustments, but the overlay accuracy remains unstable. These issues should normally be handled by ASML's field engineers, but as you know, the situation with our batch of Lithography machines is special."

Zhao Yang knew, of course. This batch of Lithography machines had been purchased through Shin-chan's shell company in Singapore, and the final destination had been quietly changed to Mainland Dragon Nation.

ASML still believed the equipment was in Singapore's Jurong Industrial Estate; they had no idea it had been installed in the wafer fab in Changcheng. Under these circumstances, it was impossible to ask ASML to send engineers.

"Which specific parameters are unstable?"

Zhao Yang asked.

"Mainly the overlay accuracy. The 28nm node requires overlay accuracy to be controlled within 3.5nm, but we can only achieve around 5.x nm—a gap of nearly two nanometers. Additionally, there's fluctuation in the light source uniformity; the dose at the edge of the exposure field is nearly two percent lower than at the center. Our engineers have adjusted every mechanical parameter possible, but we just can't get it right."

Zhao Yang fell silent for a moment. In his past life, he had spent over a decade in the chip industry. Although he wasn't a lithography process specialist, he had encountered numerous technical problems and gained significant experience just by observing.

"I'll go take a look. I'll fly to Changcheng tomorrow morning."

Zhao Yang said.

There was silence on the other end for about two seconds. Liang Mengsong's original purpose for calling was to ask Zhao Yang to try poaching some engineers from ASML or TSMC.

The cost would be high, but it was better than having the equipment sit idle. He never expected Zhao Yang to say, "I'll go take a look."

Wait, even if his boss was a genius, when did he learn about Lithography machines?

Liang Mengsong was a bit dumbfounded.

"Boss, you... you're coming to take a look?"

Liang Mengsong asked hesitantly.

"These parameter calibrations involve precise adjustments of the optical alignment system and the wafer stage. Usually, only original manufacturer engineers have the experience to handle them..."

Before Liang Mengsong could finish, Zhao Yang interrupted him.

"I know. I'll be there tomorrow morning."

Zhao Yang didn't explain further. Liang Mengsong was silent for a moment before saying okay.

After hanging up, Zhao Yang saved his half-finished paper, grabbed a coat from the rack, and sent a message to Wang Hai to book the earliest flight for the next day.

At 9:00 AM the next day, Zhao Yang's flight landed at Changcheng Airport. Outside the exit, besides Liang Mengsong and two factory vice presidents, several leaders from Changcheng City were also present. Vice Mayor Zhang stood at the front and immediately greeted Zhao Yang with a smile as he emerged from the exit.

"Dr. Zhao, welcome back to Changcheng! Since our last talk about the chip factory, the entire city has placed great importance on this project. Hearing that you were coming personally to handle technical issues, I felt I had to come and welcome you."

Vice Mayor Zhang shook Zhao Yang's hand, his tone carrying a hint of expectation.

Zhao Yang shook his hand. "You're too kind, Mayor Zhang."

The group exchanged pleasantries at the exit for a few minutes. Vice Mayor Zhang mentioned the preferential policies and supporting dormitories discussed last time, saying the city was already implementing them and telling Zhao Yang not to worry. Zhao Yang nodded, said they would talk in detail another day, and then got into the car with Liang Mengsong.

The car drove out of the airport toward the factory. Wang Hai sat in the passenger seat, while Zhao Yang and Liang Mengsong sat in the back.

"Tell me the details."

Zhao Yang leaned back in his seat and turned to look at Liang Mengsong.

"The problems are mainly concentrated in two areas."

Liang Mengsong opened his tablet, pulled up several screenshots of equipment parameters, and handed them to Zhao Yang.

"The first is the overlay accuracy. We can currently achieve 5.3nm, but the 28nm node requires it to be within 3.5nm. The second is the light source uniformity. The dose at the edge of the exposure field is about 1.8 percent lower than at the center, causing the line width in the edge areas to be too thick."